Don't Die With the Music Still in You

The title of this article is a paraphrase of the Emerson quote about how "Most men die with their music still in them."

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I doing what I want to do?

• Am I, at least in part, 'playing my special music'?

If you answered yes to the questions, or are at least pursuing them, then I congratulate you. If your answer is no - what you are waiting for?!

We are all special in this world. You deserve the very best. I know how it feels to have no feelings of self worth, I have been there. But, I also know differently now. I am worthy. And you definitely are.

For instance, do you dream of being happy again after going through a divorce? Are you missing out on your life?

Whatever the passion is within you, let it out. Life is far too fragile and uncertain to postpone your dreams, hoping that someday, you will really begin to live your life.

Begin now! Whatever it is you are passionate about, you can begin it now. What exactly are you waiting for?

When I lived in Basingstoke, Hampshire, my next door neighbour Maureen was really looking forward to her retirement. She had made plans for everything she was going to do with her life once she could stop work and concentrate on living for herself. There were so many things she hadn't yet done and when she had the time after her retirement she was going to do them all. And she was going to have so much fun doing them.

Unfortunately, six months before her 60th birthday Maureen was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she battled on bravely but sadly she died before she even got to her 60th birthday. She never did get to retire, she never did get to do all the many things that she had planned to do when she retired.

It saddens me to see someone who is near the end their life, never having taken a step to realise their dream. It saddens me that anyone should leave this earth with their music still in them. You owe it to yourself to let your music out!

Try this exercise and notice what you can.

Imagine in your mind a mirror, and imagine that you are standing in front of it. Look into that mirror and see yourself as you are today.

Now I want you to imagine yourself at the age of 80, still looking in your mirror. See those sparkling eyes looking back at you. I want you then to turn round and look back through the years of your life and note all the things you have achieved up to the age of 80. How many things have you achieved?

Wouldn't it be sad if you were to look back at 80 years of age and say to yourself 'I haven't achieved anything in all my years'.